Credit accumulator



Aug. 6, 1963 Filed Dec. 14. 1960 ET. MURPHY CREDIT ACCUMULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 6, 1963 F. T. MURPHY CREDIT ACCUMULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 14. 1960 1963 F. T. MURPHY 3,100,035

CREDIT ACCUMULATOR Filed Dec. 14. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 6, 1963 F. T. MURPHY 3,100,035

CREDIT ACCUMULATOR Filed Dec. 14, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I///// 545 4 0 70 Hl\l H United States Patent 3,100,035 CREDIT ACCUMULATOR Francis T. Murphy, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, III, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 14, I960, er. No. 75,693 18 Claims. (Cl. 194-418} This invention relates to a credit accumulator and finds utility in conjunction with vending machines.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel type of coin handling mechanism suited, for example, for installation in a vending machine and which is operative to remember the amount of money inserted into the machine for use in subsequent operations.

Another object is to provide a credit accumulator for a coin-operated vending machine wherein the machine is adapted to receive coins of difierent denominations and dispense goods at a plurality of different values.

Still another object is to provide a device of the character described in the objective immediately preceding and in which a novel mechanism is incorporated for making the accumulator easily reset for dilierent values.

Other objects and advantages may be seen in the details of construction and operation set down in the specification.

The invention will be explained in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which- FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially broken away, of a fragmentary portion of a vending machine equipped with the accumulator of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the central portion of the apparatus seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of the apparatus seen in FIG. 2 as would be seen from the sight line 33 applied to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the appa ratus of FIG. 3 such as would be seen along the sight line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are plan sectional views of the apparatus of FIG. 2 as would be taken along the sight lines 55, 66, and 77, respectively, in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a pair of slide elements associated with the apparatus illustrated in the preceding views;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front elevational view of a sprocket or ratchet wheel provided as part of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the wheel of FIG. 9 as would be seen along the sight line 10, the sight line being applied to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the wheel of FIG. 9 as would be viewed along the sight line designated 11 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a rotatable element employed for adjusting the values at which the vending machine will dispense;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a trip device which is responsive to the passage of various coins into the inventive mechanism;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, partially in section, of one of the elements associated with the device of FIG. 12 and which is operative to transmit mechanical motion within the accumulator of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plate-like element which is provided as part of the accumulator mechanism and is seen in elevational form in FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a wheel-like element associated with the mechanism and disposed in a fashion so as to be hidden behind the ratchet wheel when the device is viewed as in FIG. 2.

"ice

In the illustration given, the numeral 20 (see FIG. 1) designates generally a vending machine equipped with a plurality of selector handles, only one of which is seen and which is designated 21. The numeral 22 designates the coin insertion slot conventionally provided in the front panel of the machine 20, and the slot 22 is connected by means of a channel (not shown) to the credit accumulator generally designated 23. The accumulator 23 is mounted on the main frame 24 of the machine 20, as also are the selector handles 21.

The frame also supports a coin return passage 25, into which coins are directed when the refund handle 26 is operated. The machine is equipped with an escrow unit 27 which temporarily retains the coins until a selection is made, and is selectively communicable with a coin box (not shown) in addition to the coin refund passage 25.

The operation in general of the apparatus can be best visualized by considering what happens to inserted coins. These coins activate the accumulator and flow to the escrow unit 27. They may then be returned via the passage 25 by manipulating the handle 26, or may be employed to unlock a desired handle 21. The pulling of a given handle 21 actuates a dispensing mechanism and drops the coins into the cash box. In either case, the release of the coin from the escrow unit is accompanied by resetting of the accumulator unit to a condition of no credit.

The accumulator may be set, for example, to selectively dispense at any of a plurality of values made up of the inserted coins. In the illustration given, three values are provided, but it will be appreciated that a greater or lesser number may be employed. These values may be in five-cent increments as represented upon the latch seen in FIG. 12, the latch or index pricing plate 28 being equipped with slots 29. The slots 29 are engageable with segments 30, which may be seen both in the assembly view of FIG. 1 and also in FIG. 14. In FIG. 1, the segments are seen in side elevational view centrally of the apparatus and immediately above the handle 21-- in FIG. '1, the three segments are designated 30a, 30b and 300.

Thus, the machine can he set to dispense one product at five cents by the pulling of one handle 21, another at twenty cents by the pulling of another handle 21, and still another, say, at sixty cents, by the pulling of still another handle 21.

The device is capable of easy resetting as where the price of each product is changed. Heretofore, such resetting -was virtually impossible in credit accumulators because of the delicacy of the sensing and memory elements. Here it will be understood that the primary function of the accumulator is to sense and remember the value of the money passed therethrough, and thereafter condition the associated machine for a given action, i.e., unlocking a selected dispensing mechanism. It is with this operation that the instant invention is principally concerned. More particularly, it is concerned with this function in a vending machine of the wholly mechanical type. It will be appreciated that electrically-operated vending machines are disadvantageous in that inadvertent cessation of power renders the machine useless. Those servicing electricallyapowered vending machines in factories, ofiices, and the like, have not infrequently found the power line plug disconnected. During the time of disconnection, the machine was unable to produce any revenue. Also, the electrical machines are usually much more sensitive to vibration, shocks, etc., so that wholly mechanical machines are preferred.

The accumulator of the instant invention can be readily installed in vending machines of various types, the accumulator 23 including a frame 31 which is mounted on the machine frame. Generally, the machine 20 will inelude aconventional dispensing mechanism which will dispense a given valued product only if the accumulator 23 is in a condition indicating that this precise value of coins has been delivered to the escrow unit 0.7. -In the numeral example just referred to, pulling the handle corresponding to the twenty cent product only results in actuating the dispensing mechanism if the accumulator 23 signals that at least twenty cents has been accumulated. This feature being old, the present disclosure does not explain the same in detail, since the inventive accumulator can be employed with a variety of such mechanisms. Additionally, and still referring to FIG. 1, the accumulator 2/3 is equipped with a cover plate 32. The accumulator will now be described in detail, and first with reference to the sensing mechanism thereof.

Sensing Mechanism The numeral 33, still referring to FIG. 1, designates a passage or track for coins whose value is to be sensed by the acctunulator. Such tracks are commercially available and usually embody a plurality of passages for different-sized coins. Associated with the track 33 is a lever in the form of a trip wire 34 (seen in perspective viewin FIG. 13), which has a free end 34a mounted within an arcuate slot 35 of the track 33. The trip wire 34 thus is movable over an angle depending upon the value of the coin contacting the same when passing through the track. 33. To provide this angular movement of the trip wire 34, one end of the wire 34 is equipped with an integral loop 341) (see FIG. 13), which is journaled on a shaft or boss 36 provided as part of the name 31 (see FIG. 3).

Also journaled on the shaft 36 is an actuator Wheel 37 (seen in perspective view in FIG. 16). As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, the actuator wheel 37 is equipped with a radially-extending peripheral notch 37a. The trip wire 34 is equipped with an elbow 34c (again see FIGS. 4 and 13), which is received within the notch 37a. Thus, as the trip wire 34 is moved through an angular path, so also is the actuator wheel 37. Further, the angular displacement of the actuator wheel 37 is proportional to the value of the coin passing through the track 33.

The actuator wheel 37 is equipped with posts 37b and 37c (see FIG. 16). As can be appreciated from a consideration of FIG. 4 in particular, a pawl 38 is rotatably mounted on the post 371). The post 37c provides a mounting means for a spring 39, which at its free end is connected with pawl 38 so as to bias the pawl 38 radially inward of the actuator wheel 37. It will also be appreciated that as the actuator wheel 37 passes through a given angle, so also will the pawl 38.

Consideration of 'FIGS. 3, 4 and 16 reveals that the actuator wheel 37 is equipped with a third post 37d. Connected to this post by means of a Wire 41 is a weight The weight 40 serves to return the wheel 37 to its initial position after a coin has tripped the wire 34. The weight 40 provides a constant force for this return, and the return is limited by the upper end of the arcuate slot 35.

Theinward bias of the pawl 3-8 forces it into contact with the ratchet portion 42 of the accumulator wheel designated generally by the symbol A. The accumulator wheel is seen in detail in FIGS. 9-11. As seen in FIG. 4, however, where the ratchet portion 42 is designated in phantom line, the counterclockwise motion of the actuator wheel 37 causesthe pawl 38 to engage the ratchet portion 42 to simultaneously rotate the accumulator wheel A, and this rotation or angular displacement is also proportional to the value of the coin inserted into the vending machine 20. For example, one notch or tooth on the ratchet portion 42 may be equivalent .to Sgt, two notches to 10, etc. Inasmuch as the accumulator wheel A pro vides a memory function, this will now be described.

Memory Mechanism:

Reference to FIG. 10 reveals that the ratchet portion 42 of the accumulator wheel A is equipped with an axial bearing recess 43. The recess 43 receives the boss 372 (see FIG. 16) of the actuator wheel 37 in the fashion indicated in FIG. 3. Thus, the accumulator wheel A is elfectively journaled on the boss 37a for rotation thereon. For ease of understanding, the sides of the various wheels and other elements will be designated front and rear, corresponding to whether they are either visible or hidden, respectively, when viewed from the point of vantage employed in FIG. 1. Thus, the boss 37e is on the front side of actuator wheel 37, while the recess 43- rotatably receiving this boss 37e is on the rear side of the accumulator wheel A. The accumulator wheel A is also rotatably supported on a pin 44 (see FIG. 2), which is rigidly mounted on a bracket 45, an opening 45a being provided in bracket 45 for this purpose. Bracket 45 can be seen alone in perspective view in FIG. 15, where it is seen detached from its mounting on the frame 31.

Associated with the bracket 45 is a plate 46 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the plate 46 also being mounted on the pin 44 for rotational positioning thereon. The plate 46' is equipped with a spring 47 which extends between a slot 46a in the plate 46 and a post 48 provided on the accumulator wheel A (see FIGS. 91 The spring 47 is effective to urge the accumulator wheel A clockwise (in the illustration given) after movement by the pawl 38 so as to urge the accumulator wheel A to its no credit position. The no credit position is determined by the lug 49 (see FIG. 15), which is positionably mounted on the bracket 45 and which is effective to engage a step '50 (see FIG. 2) provided on the front side of the accumulator wheel A.

The tension on the spring 47 is determined by the r0- tational position of plate 46, and this is adjustably fixed by a lock-washer 51 mounted on the bracket 45 by means of a screw 52 (see FIG. 2). The lug 49 is adjustably mounted on the bracket 45 by means of a bolt 53 positionably mounted within the slot 45b of the bracket 45 (see FIGS. 2 and 15).

The urging of the spring 47 which would cause the accumulator wheel A to return to its no credit position is resisted by a dog-equipped bar 54 (see FIG. 2) equipped with a dog 54a (see also FIG. 3). The dog 54a is effective to engage, the ratchet teeth 55 provided on the upper contour of the accumulator wheel A (see FIG. 9').

From the fore-going, it will be seen that when the dog 54:: and the pawl 38 are disengaged from the ratchet teeth 55 and 42, respectively, the wheel A is returnable to its no credit position. This resetting, and the structure responsible therefor, will now be described. Such resetting may occur immediately after the'wheel A memorizes a deposit and without product dispensing occurring, as would be the case where the patron elects to have his money refunded. However, in the usual case, the wheel A Will assume a given angular position proportional to the value of the coin actuating the trip wire 34. Thereafter, it will assume a greater angular position (relative to no credit position) when a subsequent coin engages the trip wire 34.

N 0 Credit Reset Mechanism The bar 54 is pivotally mounted on the frame 31 by means of a post 56 (see FIG. 2), the pivot being so positioned along the length of bar 54 as to cause the dog 54a to be biased downwardly by gravity. Cooperating with the bar 54 is a reset rod 57 which is rotatably mounted within the frame 31 and which is connected to the handle 26 (see FIG. 2). The reset rod 57 is equipped with a fork 58 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), which has the projecting portions thereof positioned astride the bar 54. Thus, whichever way the reset rod 57 is turned, there will be a raising of the dog 54a of the bar 54'. This follows from the fact that one of the legs of the fork 54 is above the bar 54, while the other fork leg is below the bar 54- and on the opposite side of the pivot point 56 from the first-mentioned fork leg.

The raising of bar 56 results in disengagement of dog 54a from the ratchet teeth 55 and also results in the engagement of the bar 54- with a latch 59. The latch 53, as best seen in FIG. 4, is pivotally mounted as at 66' and is effective to upset the pawl 38.

The operation of the apparatus contemplates that one direction of rotation of the rod 57 (as induced by manually turning the refund handle 26) is accompanied by refund of money from the escrow unit 27. This is achieved through the operation of the linkage 61 (seen only in FIG. 1). The opposite rotation of the rod 57 (as would be induced by pulling of the plunger 21) is accompanied by a different operation in the escrow unit to direct the money into the coin box (not shown). Here, it will be appreciated that the operation of the escrow unit is conventional and is merely included henein for the sake of completeness. If the accumulator wheel A is not reset to its no credit positionas just described-it will have assumed a position corresponding to the value of the coins having passed through the track .33. The accumulator wheel A, therefore, is then in a condition to transmit a mechanical signal based upon the stored information, and the apparatus by which this signal is sensed and transmitted will now be explained.

Sensing and Transmitting Mechanism Reference to FIG. 9' reveals that the front side of the accumulator wheel A is equipped with two stepped surfaces 61 and 62. By comparison of FIGS. 9 and 10, it will be noted that the stepped sequence or contour 61 is spaced forwardly of the stepped contour 62. The steps in each sequence are at different distances from the axis of the wheel, the initial step in the sequence 61 providing the step or notch 50 previously referred to as being the no credit determining abutment of the accumulator wheel A. Each stepped sequence has a peripheral portion as at 61a and 62a which is effective to obstruct the bar-like sensing elements 63 and 6-4 activated by pulling of a handle 21 should the pulling occur when an improper amount of credit has been accumlated. The sensing elements 63 and 64- are seen in FIG. 8 and each includes a plate-like member 63a and 64a, respectively, which is notched or stepped at the bottom thereof as at 63b and 64b, respectively. Additionally, each member 63 and 64 includes a sensing projection (65 and 66, respectively) which upstands above the upper edge for engagement with the stepped sequences 61 and 62, respectively. The sensing projections 65 and 66 may be rigidly secured to the plates 63 and 64, respectively, by means of pins or rivets 67. It will be appreciated from a consideration of FIG. 8 that the plates '63 and 64- are arranged in coplanar fashion with the projections 65 and 66 being offset from this plane. The projection 65 is provided forwardly of the plate 63a, while the projection 66 is provided rearwardly of the plate 64a. The plate 63a is equipped with a forwardly-extending post 68, while the plate 64a is equipped with a similarly arranged post 69. The mounting of the elements 63 and 64 can be readily appreciated from a consideration of FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, for example, the wheel A hides the plate 63a, but both plates are supported between upper and lower guides 70 and 71. The upper guide includes rods 70a and 7%, while the lower guide includes rods 71a and 71b. The rods 7 b and 71b are flattened as at 70c and 710 along an intermediate portion of their lengths, as can be appreciated from a consideration of FIG. 2.

Reference to 'FIG. 3 reveals that the post 69 provides a mounting for a coiled spring 72, a similar spring 73 being provided for the post 68 on plate 63a, as can be noted from FIG. 2. The upper ends of the springs 72 and 73 are each affixed to a rod 74 which is rigidly mounted within the frame 31. Thus, the action of the springs 72 and 73 is to urge the plates 63a and 64a upwardly so that the projections 65- and 66 may engage the accumulator wheel A. The urging just mentioned is opposed by means of a bar 75 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), which bears against the posts 68 and 69 to maintain the springs 72 and 73 in extended condition and with the projections 65 and 66 out of contact with the accumulator wheel A. The hold-down bar 75 is provided as part of a linkage system generally designated L in FIG. 1, and which includes a conventional spring-loaded dispensing mechanism D responsive to movement of a selector handle 21. For the purpose of the present invention, it is believed sufficient to say that retraction of a handle 21 is effective by means of the mechanism D and linkage L to raise the bar 75 so as to permit the springs 72 and 73 to urge the sensing elements 64- and 63, respectively, up into con tact with the accumulator wheel A.

Upon the upward movement of the elements 63 and 64 and with accumulator wheel in the position seen in the drawings, particularly FIG. 9, the projection 65 will rise until it engages the uppermost step as at 6111. On the other hand, the projection 66 will be stopped at a lower elevation by engaging the peripheral portion of the step 62 as at 62a. If, for example, the steps in the sequences 61 and 62 are equivalent to five-cent increments, the accumulator wheel A has a setting in FIG. 9 corresponding to a credit of 30. Under the the same assumption of monetary valuation for the steps, the insertion of a further nickel prior to retraction of a plunger 21 will position the step 621) above the projection 66, etc. In the illustration given, the device has a maximum setting for credit evaluation of twelve units, there being six steps in each unit. Here, it will be appreciated that a greater or lesser number of steps may be employed as desired, as well as other incremental valuations.

As pointed out previously, the bottom edges of each of the elements 63 and 64- are equipped with steps as at 63b and 6412, the number of steps corresponding to the number of steps in the ratchet contours 61 and 6-2 of the accumulator wheel A. Positioned below the elements 63 and 64 for coaction therewith are a plurality of segments 30, previously referred to in connection with FIG. 14, and which can be seen in elevational form in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7. Each of the elements illustrated, i.e., 30a, 30b and 300, is equipped with a boss 76 which is apertured for the receipt of a shaft 77. In the illustration given, the shaft 77 is a square shaft, and thus fixes the segments 30 thereto. The elements 30a, 30b and 300, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, are spaced longitudinally on the shaft 77, and thespacing thereof is determined by the latch or indexing price plate 28, previously mentioned relative to FIG. 12. The plate 28 is essentially L-shaped and is rigidly secured by means of bolts 78 to a shaft 79 journaled as at 81} (see FIG. 2) in the frame 31. The shaft 79 may be equipped with a knurled handle 61. If desired, the plate 28 may be equipped with value indicia as at 82 (see FIG. 12). The indicia 82 correspond to the various slots 29, so that the segments 30 may be positioned in alignment with a particular desired slot 29, the segments 30 being slidably mounted upon the shaft 77 for this purpose.

To reposition one or more of (the segments 30, it is only necessary to turn the knurled handle 81 so as to move the indexing plate 28 vto the dotted line position of FIG. 3, whereupon the various segments 36 \are meleased from the slots 29 and can be positioned in accordance with the new values to be registered in the accumulator. In the illustration given in FIG. 2, for example, the position of the segment 30a corresponds to a 35 valuation, that of 36b to 45 ii, and that of 300 to: 50.

As the elements 63 and 64 are elevated under the urging of springs 73 and 72, mespectivel-y (this after the holddown bar 75 has been raised), the elements 63 and 64 assume positions dictated by the angular disposition of 7 the accumulator wheel A. Depending upon the degree of elevation of the elements 63 and 64, one or more of segments 30 is enabled to pass under the plate 63a or 64a.

Reference to FIG. 3 reveals that each of the segments 30 is sector shaped, and, in the illustration given, the segment 30a spans a 60 arc, the segment 30b a 45 arc, and the segment 300 a 30 arc. It will be appreciated that the shaft 77 can be rotated 15 when the members 63 and 64 are positioned so as to only permit the segment 30a to pass thereunder, the 15 being dictated by the amount of movement of the shaft permitted until the segment 3% encounters whichever plate 63 or 64 impedes its progress. When the elements '63 land 64- are positioned to pass both the elements 30a and 30b, the shaft is enabled to rotate 30, and when the plates 63a and 64a are raised to an extent permitting all three of the illustrated segments 30a, 30b and 390 to pass thereunder, the shaft 77 may be rotated 45. Each segment 30 is thus equipped with a face or side adapted to engage a plate 63a or 64a, as the case may be, with the faces being at diiferent angular dispositions relative to the bars or elements 63 and 64, also to the axis of the shaft 77.

The shaft 77 constitutes an output signal shaft to the unlock mechanism generally designated U in FIG. 1 and which is conventional. Uniformly, such unlocking mechanism U receives difierent mechanical signal-s, as from a shaft 77, and actuartes diiferent unlocking devices so as to permit the dispensing of a given product. It is believed sufi'icient to state for the purpose of this invention that a plurality of output signals, as the form of diiiferent rotations of the shaft 77, are available, depending upon the positions of the segments 30 relative to members 63 and 64. It will be immediately appreciated that a greater or lesser number of segments: and angular outputs are available, depending upon the type of service required.

In the operation of the device, a coin inserted into the slot 22 travels along a gradual incline in conventional tashion to reach the track 33. The track 33 is generally vertical, so the trip Wire 34 recovers from sensing a given coin prior to the time that a subsequent coin is ready to enter the track 33. Coins of different denominations operate to move the trip wire 34 different angular displacements, and the angular movement of the trip Wire 34 produces a corresponding rotational displacement of the actuator wheel 37, the wheel 37 and trip wire 34 being interlocked by means of elbow 37c and slot or notch 37a, as seen in FIG. 4. The return movement of the actuator wheel 37 is induced by the counterweight 40', and this movement provides an attendant rotational movement 'of the accumlator wheel A by virtue of the pawl 38 engaging a ratchet portion 42 of the accumulator wheel A (again see FIG. 4). Thus, a rotary counting and memory device is provided in the first instance, the accumulator wheel A retaining whatever angular displacement is imparted to it by virtue of the initiating movements of the actuator Wheel 37.

The actuator Wheel is equipped with two sets of steps 61 and 62 (see FIGS. 9 and and the angular displacement of the accumulator wheel A sensed by recipnocating elements 63 and 64 which move into sensing engagement a pair of steps on the ratchet-like contours 61 and 62, respectively. By providing two stages of steps as at 61 and 62, it is found that each increment is large enough to provide a suitable abutment surface for the projections 65 or 66, as the case may be, without rendering the mechanism too delicate. In the illustration given, each increment in the stages 61 and 62 of wheel A is 12, and as indicated on the indexing plate 28, each increment corresponds to five cents.

The upward movement of the elements 63 and 64 is induced whenever one of the plungers 21 is retracted by a patron in order to initiate the dispensing of a product. The further retraction of the plunger tor handle 21 is accompanied by. a rotational movement of the output shaft '77 (see FIG. 3), which carries a plurality of segments 30. Should the reciprocating elements 63 and 64- be not raised sulficiently to permit the passage thereunder of one or more of the segments 30, the patron is unable to retract the plunger 21 further and thus cannot complete the dispensing cycle. If, on the other hand, there is sufficient credit accumulated on the accumulator wheel A to position one or both of the elements 63 and 64 in a posi- 'tion to perm-it passage thereunder of the requisite seg ment or segments 30, the vending cycle can be completed and the desired product dispensed.

The dispensing of the product by virtue of retraction of the plunger 21 is attended by diverting of coins in the escrow unit 27 to the conventional coin box, while the accumulator wheel A is reset to no credit condition by virtue of the linkage 61 (see FIG. 1) and the coaction of reset rod 57, tork 58, and bar 54. The same resetting op eration can be accomplished with the attendant refund of money from the escrow unit 27 by virtue of rotating handle 26 prior to the time the handle 21 is retracted,

While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention has been set fonth for the purpose of illustration thereof, many variations in the details herein given may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a credit accumulator, a frame supporting a coin track, means in said coin track driven by the passage of coins therealong, a credit wheel rotatalbly mounted on said frame and rotatably driven by the coin-driven means to successive positions of rotation corresponding to the accumulated value of coins passed along said track, rectilinearly movable reciprocating means mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from said wheel and selectively engageable with plural means adjacent said Wheel and operatively positioned by the rotation thereof to arrest said reciprocating means at successive positions of rectilinear movement corresponding to the accumulated value positions of the Wheel, and output shaft means rotatably mounted on said frame and having means selectively engageable with said reciprocating means for limiting operational rotation of said shaft means according to said successive positions of said reciprocating means.

2. In a device of the character described, a frame, means for passing coins sequentially past said frame, means rotatably mounted on said frame and responsively driven by said passing coins and efiective to assume successive positions of rotation proportional to the accumulated value of the passed coins, rectiiinearly movable reciprocating means on said frame having means selectively engageable with plural means selectively presented thereto according to said successive positions of said rotatably mounted means thereby to assume a predetermined linear position corresponding to the rotated position of said rotatably mounted means, and output shaft means carrying plural means each selectively engageable with opposing means on said reciprocating means as determined by the predetermined linear position of said reciprocating means.

3. In a device of the character described, a frame, means for passing coins sequentially past said frame, means rotatably mounted on said frame responsively driven by the passage of coins along said first-named means and elfective to assume successive positions of rotation proportional to the accumulated value of the passed coins, reciprocating means on said frame selectively engageable with and sensitive to the position of said rotatably mounted means to assume successive linear positions determined by the rotated positioning of said rotatably mounted means, output shaft means operative to assume a rotational position corresponding to the linear position of said reciprocating means, and plural 9 means interposed between said output shaft means and said reciprocating means and each selectively engageable with opposing means on said reciprocating means as determined by said linear position of the latter for accordingly selectively limiting the rotational movement of said output shaft means.

4. In a device of the character described, a frame, means for passing coins sequentially past said frame, means rotatably mounted on said frame responsively driven by the passage of coins along said first-named means to assume successive positions of rotation proportional to the accumulated value of the passed coins, re ciprocating means on said frame selectively engageable with and sensitive to the position of said rotatably mounted means to assume a linear position corresponding to the rotated position of said rotatably mounted means, output shaft means operative to assume a rotational position corresponding to the linear position of said reciprocating means, means interposed between said output shaft means and said reciprocating means and selectively engageable with said reciprocating means for limiting the rotational movement of said output shaft means, said interposed means being selectively positioned on said output shaft means, and means on said frame for releasably looking said interposed means in selected position on said output shaft means.

5. In a device of the character described, a frame, means for passing coins sequentially past said frame, means rotatably mounted on said frame and responsively driven by the passing coins to assume successive positions of rotation proportional to the accumulated value of the passed coins, reciprocating means on said frame selectively engageable with and sensitive to the position of said rotatably mounted means for assuming a linear position corresponding to the rotated position of said rotatably mounted means, output shaft means operative to assume a rotational position corresponding to the linear position of said reciprocating means, and means for applying a rotation-inducing force on said output shaft means, said output shaft means being equipped with a plurality of cam-like elements adjustably positioned thereon and operative to engage said reciprocating means to limit the rotation of said output shaft means.

6. In a device of the character described, a frame, means for passing coins sequentially past said frame, means rotatably mounted on said frame and responsively driven by the passage of coins therepast to assume successive positions of rotation proportional to the accumulated value of the passed coins, reciprocating means on said frame selectively engageable with and sensitive to the position of said rotatably mounted means for assuming a linear position corresponding to the rotate-d position of said rotatably mounted means, output shaft means operative to assume a rotational position corresponding to the linear position of said reciprocating means, and means for applying a rotation-producing force on said output shaft means, said output shaft means being equipped with a plurality of cam-like elements positionably fixed thereto and operative to engage said reciprocating means to limit the rotation of said output shaft means, said reciprocating means being equipped with a stepped edge with each step thereof being engageabie by one of said cam-like elements.

7. In a device of the character described, a frame, means for passing coins sequentially past said frame, means rotatably mounted on said frame and responsively driven by the passage of coins along said first-named means to assume successive positions of rotation proportional to the accumulated value of the passed coins, reciprocating means on said frame selectively engageable Withand sensitive to the position of said rotatably mounted means for assuming successive linear positions corresponding to the rotated position of said rotatably mounted means, output shaft means operative to assume a prede:

termined position of rotation corresponding to the linear positioning of said reciprocating means, means for applying a rotation-producing force on said output shaft means, said output shaft means being equipped With a plurality of cam-like elements adjustably positioned thereon and operative to engage said reciprocating means to limit the rotation of said output shaft means, said reciprocating means being equipped with a stepped edge with each step thereof engageable by only one of said cam-like elements, and locking means on said frame effective to maintain said cam-like elements in alignment With selected steps of said stepped edge.

8. The structure of claim 7 in which said locking means comprises a pivotally mounted plate, a plurality of element-receiving notches in said plate aligned with said steps, and coin value indicia on said plate.

9. In a device of the character described, a frame, means for passing coins sequentially past said frame, means rotatably mounted on said frame and driven by the passage of coins therepast to assume successive positions of rotation proportional to the accumulated value of the passed coins, a sensing bar reciprocably mounted on said frame, means on said frame urging said bar into contact With said rotatably mounted means to register the accumulated value position thereof, means on said frame for opposing said urging means, an output shaft on said frame operative to assume a rotational position dependent upon the position of said bar, means for simultaneously applying a rotation-producing force on said output shaft and for rendering ineffective the said opposing means, said bar being equipped with a stepped edge at one end and a sensing portion at the other end, said sensing portion being movable into engagement With said rotatably mounted means under the action of said urging means when said opposing means is rendered inoperative, said output shaft being equipped vn'th a plurality of camlike elements adjustably mounted thereon and aligned with only some of the steps of said stepped edge, at least one of said elements being engageable with said bar when said rotatably mounted means has not registered a predetermined minim-um accumulated value position, and means for locking said elements in predetermined positions on said output shaft.

10. A credit accumulator, comprising a frame supporting a coin track, an accumulator Wheel rotatably sup ported on said frame and responsively driven coin-s by passing through said track to assume successive positions of ro tation proportional to the accumulated value of the coins passing through said track, said Wheel having a stepped contour With the various steps being located at different distances from the axis of said accumulator Wheel, a sensing 'bar reciprocably mounted on said frame, actuatable means on said frame urging one end of said bar into engagement With said stepped contour, the other end of said bar being equipped with a second stepped contour, an output shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of cam-like segments releasably locked on said shaft for engaging said second stepped contour thereby to limit said shafts rotation, and means associated With said frame for simultaneously applying a rotation-inducing force to said shaft and for activating said urging means, said segments being equipped with bar-engaging surfaces arranged at different angular positions to provide different rotational limits for said shaft depending upon which of said segments engage said bar.

11. A credit accumulator, comprising a frame supporting a coin track, an accumulator Wheel rotatably supported on said frame for responsive action to coins passing through said track and effective to assume successive positions of rotation proportional to the accumulated value of the coins passing through said track, said Wheel having a stepped contour with the various steps being located at different distances from the axis of said ac cumnlator wheel, a sensing bar reciprooably mounted on said frame, actuatable means on said frame urging one of said bar into en'gagement with said stepped contour, the other end of said bar being equipped with a stepped contour, an output shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of cam-like segments releasably locked on said shaft for movement toward said bar stepped contour, means associated with said frame for simultaneously applying .a rotation-inducing force to said shaft and for activating said urging means, said segments being equipped with bar-engaging surfaces arranged at different angular positions relative to said bar to provide different rotational movements of said shaft depending upon which of said segments engage said bar, means on said frame for holding accumulated coins in escrow pending resetting of said wheel to no credit position, means on said frame for refunding coins from said escrow unit, means on said frame couplable to said accumulator wheel for returning said wheel to no credit position whenever said refunding means is actuated, and means on said frame for storing coins from said escrow unit, said couplable means also being effective to return said accumulator wheel to no credit position whenever said storing means is actuated.

d2. A credit accumulator, comprising a frame, a coin track mounted on said frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said frame engageable by a coin passing through said track, said track being arranged to displace said lever an angular distance proportional to the value of the coin engaging said lever, an actuator wheel journaled on said frame and coupled to said lever for angular movement therewith, an accumulator wheel journaled on said frame and releasab-ly coupled to said actuator wheel for angular movement therewith to accumulate the value of coins acmating said lever, said accumulator Wheel being equipped with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially offset stepped peripheral portions, a similar plurality of sensing bars reciprocably mounted on said frame for movement toward said peripheral portions, each of said bars being equipped with steps corresponding to steps in e peripheral portion engageable thereby, an output shaft journ'aled in said frame, and a plurality of camlike elements positionably mounted on said shaft for movement toward said bar steps, said elements each having bar-engaging faces with the faces being arranged at different radial dispositions relative to the axis of said output shaft.

13. A credit accumulator, comprising a frame, a coin track mounted on said frame, a lever pivotaliy mounted on said frame engageable by a coin passing through said track, said track being arranged to displace said lever an angular distance proportional to the value of the coin engaging said lever, an actuator wheel journaled on said frame and coupled to said lever for movement therewith, an accumulator wheel journaled on said frame and releasably coupled to said actuator wheel for movement therewith to accumulate the value of coins actuating said lever, said accumulator wheel being equipped with a plurality of :circumferentially spaced, axially offset stepped peripheral portions, a similar plurality of sensing bars reciprocably mounted on said frame for movement toward said peripheral portions, actuatable means for urging said bars into engagement with said peripheral portions, each of said bars being equipped with steps corresponding to the steps in the peripheral portion engageable thereby, an output shaft journaled in said frame, a plurality of cam-like elements positionably mounted on said shaft for movement toward said bar steps, said elements each having bar-engaging faces with the faces being arranged at different radial dispositions relative to the axis of said output shaft, and means on said frame for simultaneously subjecting said shaft to a rotation-inducing force and for actuating said urging means.

14. A credit accumulator, comprising a frame, a coin track mounted on said frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said frame engageable by a coin passing through said track, said track being arranged to displace said lever an angular distance proportional to the value of the coin engaging said lever, an actuator wheel journaled on said frame and coupled [to said lever for angular movement therewith, counterweight means associated with said ac tuator wheel for returning the lever to a coin-sensing position after coin engagement, an accumulator wheel coupled to the said actuator wheel for movement therewith to accumulate the value of coins actuating said lever, pawl means on said actuator wheel engagcable with said accumulator wheel for rotating the same uni-directionally with said actuator wheel, said pawl means being arranged for said rotating only upon return of said lever after being engaged by a coin, said accumulator wheel being equipped with .a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially offset stepped peripheral portions, a similar plurality of sensing bars reciprocably mounted on said frame for movement toward said peripheral portions, each of said bars being equipped with steps correspond ing to steps in the peripheral portion engageable thereby, an output shaft journaled in said frame, and a plurality of cam-like elements positionably mounted on said shaft for movement toward said bar steps, said elements each having bar-engaging faces with the faces being arranged at different angular dispositions relative to the axis of said output shaft.

15. A coin accumulator, comprising a frame, a coin track mounted on said frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said'frarne engageable by a coin passing through said track, said track being arranged to displace said lever an angular distance proportional to the value of the coin engaging said levcr, an actuator wheel journaled on said frame and coupled to said lever for angular movement therewith, counterweight means associated with said actuator wheel for returning the lever to coin-sensing position after coin engagement, an accumulator wheel journaled on said frame and releasably coupled to said actuator wheel for movement therewith to accumulate the value of the coins actuating said lever, pawl means on said actuator wheel engageable with said accumulator wheel for simultaneously rotating the same, said pawl means being arranged for said rotating only upon return of said lever after being engaged by a coin, said accumulator Wheel being equipped with a stepped peripheral portion, a sensing bar reciprocably mounted on said frame for movement toward said peripheral portion, said bar being equipped with steps corresponding to steps in the peripheral portion, actuatable means for urging said bar into engagement with said peripheral portions, an output shaft journaled on said frame, a plurality of cam-like elements positionably mounted on said shaft for movement toward said bar steps, said elements each having bar-engaging faces, with the faces being arranged at difierent angular dispositions relative to the axis of said output shaft, and means on said frame for simultaneously subjecting said shaft to a rotation-inducing force and for actuating said urging means.

16. A coin accumulator, comprising a frame, a coin track mounted on said frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said frame engageable by a coin passing through said track, said track being arranged to displace said lever an angular distance proportional to the value of the coin engaging said lever, an actuator wheel journaled on said frame and coupled to said lever for angular movement therewith, counterweight means associated with said actuator wheel for returning the lever to coin-sensing position after coin engagement, an accumulator wheel journaled on said frame and releasably coupled to said actuator Wheel for angular movement therewith to accumulate the value of coins actuating said lever, pawl means on said actuator wheel engageable with said accumulator wheel for simultaneously rotating the same, said pawl means being arranged for said rotating only upon return of said lever after being engaged by a coin, said accumulator wheel being equipped with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially offset stepped peripheral portions, a similar plurality of sensing bars reciprocably mounted on said frame for movement toward said peripheral portions, each of said bars being equipped with steps corresponding to the steps in the peripheral portion engageable thereby, actuatable means for urging said bars into engagement with said peripheral portions, an output shaft journaled on said frame, a plurality of cam-like elements positionably mounted on said shaft for movement toward said bar steps, said elements each having bar-engaging faces, with the faces being arranged at different angular dispositions relative to the axis of said output shaft, and means on said frame for simultaneously subjecting said shaft to a rotation-inducing force and for actuating said urging means.

17. A coin accumulator, comprising a frame, a coin track mounted on said frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said frame engageable by a coin passing through said track, said track being arranged to displace said lever an angular distance proportional to the value of the coin engaging said lever, an actuator wheel journaled on said frame and coupled to said lever for angular movement therewith, counterweight means associated with said actuator wheel for returning the lever to coin-sensing position after coin engagement, an accumulator wheel journaled on said frame and releasably coupled to said actuator wheel for angular movement therewith to accumulate the value of coins actuating said lever, pawl means on said actuator wheel engageable with said accumulator wheel for simultaneously rotating the same, said pawl means being arranged for said rotating only upon return of said lever after being engaged by a coin, dog means pivotally mounted on said frame for maintaining said accumulator wheel in an angular position corresponding to the accumulated value of coins sequentially engaging said lever, reset shaft means pivotally mounted on said frame and operable to upset said dog means and pawl means to return said accumulator Wheel to no credit position, said accumulator wheel being equipped with a stepped peripheral portion, a sensing b-ar reciprocably mounted on said frame for movement toward said peripheral portion, said bar being equipped with steps corresponding to steps in the peripheral portion, actuatable means for urging said bar into engagement with said peripheral portion, an output shaft journaled on said frame, a plurality of cam-like elements positionably mounted on said shaft for movement toward said bar steps, said elements each having bar-engaging faces, with the faces being arranged at different angular dispositions relative to the axis of said output shaft, and means on said frame for simultaneously subjecting said shaft to a rotation-inducing force and for actuating said urging means.

18. A coin accumulator, comprising a frame, a coin track mounted on said frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said frame engageable by a coin passing through said track, said track being arranged to displace said lever an angular distance proportional to the value of the coin engaging said lever, an actuator wheel journaled on said frame and coupled to said lever for angular movement therewith, counterweight means associated with said actuator wheel for returning the lever to coin-sensing position after coin engagement, an accumulator wheel journaled on said frame and releasably coupled to said actuator wheel for angular movement therewith to accumulate the value of coins actuating said lever, pawl means on said actuator wheel engageable with said accumulator wheel for simultaneously rotating the same, said pawl means being arranged for said rotating only upon return of said lever after being engaged by a coin, dog means pivotally mounted on said frame for maintaining said accumulator wheel in an angular position corresponding to the accumulated value of coins sequentially engaging said lever, reset shaft means pivotally mounted on said frame and operable to upset said dog means and pawl means to return said accumulator wheel to no credit position, said reset shaft means including a fork operative to upset said dog means upon rotation of said reset shaft means in either direction, whereby said accumulator wheel is resettable to no credit position upon the happening of any one of two operations, said accumulator Wheel being equipped with a stepped peripheral portion, a sensing bar reciprocably mounted on said frame for movement toward said peripheral portion, said bar being equipped with steps corresponding to steps in the peripheral portion, actuatable means for urging said bar into engagement with said peripheral portion, an output shaft journaled on said frame, a plurality of cam-like elements positionably mounted on said shaft for movement toward said bar steps, said elements each having bar-engaging faces with the faces being arranged at different angular dispositions relative to the axis of said output shaft, and means on said frame for simultaneously subjecting said shaft to a rotation-inducing force and for actuating said urging means.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

2. IN A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A FRAME, MEANS FOR PASSING COINS SEQUENTIALLY PAST SAID FRAME, MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND RESPONSIVELY DRIVEN BY SAID PASSING COINS AND EFFECTIVE TO ASSUME SUCCESSIVE POSITIONS OF ROTATION PROPORTIONAL TO THE ACCUMULATED VALUE OF THE PASSED COINS, RECTILINEARLY MOVABLE RECIPROCATING MEANS ON SAID FRAME HAVING MEANS SELECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH PLURAL MEANS SELECTIVELY PRESENTED THERETO ACCORDING TO SAID SUCCESSIVE POSITIONS OF SAID ROTATABLY MOUNTED MEANS THEREBY TO ASSUME A PREDETERMINED LINEAR POSITION CORRESPONDING TO THE ROTATED POSITION OF SAID ROTATABLY MOUNTED MEANS, AND OUTPUT SHAFT MEANS CARRYING PLURAL MEANS EACH SELECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH OPPOSING MEANS ON SAID RECIPROCATING MEANS AS DETERMINED BY THE PREDETERMINED LINEAR POSITION OF SAID RECIPROCATING MEANS. 